Rain emergency: PRCS volunteers, staff on high alert

Islamabad : The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has put its National Headquarter, provincial and district branches, hospitals, ambulances, emergency and disaster response teams, First Aiders, and volunteers on high alert following the continuous rain spell throughout the country.

The Chairman of PRCS Abrar ul Haq chaired a meeting with PRCS management and officers here on Thursday to review the measures and contingency plan. He asked all relevant departments and emergency response teams to remain on standby in Islamabad as well as in all other provinces as the Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rains and has warned of flash and urban flooding.

Abrar directed officers of the Disaster Management, Emergency Response, and Ambulance Fleet Department to be fully prepared to facilitate citizens in any untoward situation. He further directed the disaster management department to make arrangements for rain emergencies and ensure the presence of doctors and paramedics round the clock in all the Red Crescent hospitals of the country. In addition, PRCS control room set up at its National Headquarters is constantly monitoring the situation.

In a message, Abrar asked the citizens to avoid unessential travels. “People should also adopt precautionary measures as thunderstorms have been predicted in different parts of the country. They should avoid standing under trees, big hoarding boards, and electric poles,” he added.

Abrar said, PRCS is fully prepared to augment the response efforts of the government, the Pakistan Army, NDMA, PDMA, rescue and relief departments for risk reduction, mitigation, relief and rehabilitation in the wake of any calamity or disasters following the continuous monsoon currents. He said, PRCS volunteers are devotedly working to help out people during disasters and are always ready to respond in time of need.